Consolidation of MOBAGS: The Quest for Efficiency in Logistics Operations
Abstract
The Air Force has over 300,000 mobility bags designed specifically to hold Chemical Warfare Defense Equipment, commonly known as "C-bags," thousands of which are deployed with Airmen at any given time. In 2004, an initiative by CENTAF (CentCOM Air Force; now known as AFCENT, Air Forces Central Command) to cut transportation costs resulted in the stand-up of three regional centralized distribution facilities throughout the Middle East. The resultant savings of $17 million in the first year has spurred interest in consolidating and centrally distributing mobility bags from the Continental United States (CONUS). This paper uses transportation costs to determine whether it makes sense to centrally locate the C-bags at one specific location, the Consolidated Mobility Bag Coordination Center (CMBCC) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and distribute the bags from there when needed for deployments. Using cost data on the shipment of bags from the CMBCC to either a deployer's home station or directly to the deployed location and comparing the data to the excess baggage charges currently imposed by commercial airlines, the answer appears to be negative -- that it is not more efficient, with regard to transportation costs, to distribute bags from a central facility. There are, however, many other factors to consider (e.g., personnel manning, replenishment costs for expired items, and the proper determination of C-bag requirements) before a decision should be made.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA526652
Entities
People
- Rebeccah L. Carter
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology